The Humane Society of the United States filed a lawsuit this week claiming that Attorney General Scott Pruitt of Oklahoma is prosecuting the organization and its work in order to gain recognition and votes for his political career. Former Oklahoma Attorney General, Drew Edmondson filed the suit on behalf of the agency, claiming that the current AG has been involved in a “nearly yearlong campaign of legal harassment and public vilification of this organization for political gain.” In their claim HSUS requests the court for a ruling to stop Pruitt’s activities and harassment towards the organization.

The Humane Society is one of the largest organization dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of animals around the nation. They are considered to be leaders in animal rights and advocacy campaigns, and service more than 100,000 animals per year.

Early 2014, Scott Pruitt publicly questioned HSUS’ practices and reputation through social media as well as government channels. In an official press release, the Humane Society stated that they initially complied to Pruitt’s request to review documents detailing fundraising procedures, however, they refused to turn over irrelevant paperwork they deemed unnecessary for review. HSUS also claims that Pruitt has forwarded these documents to the Oklahoma Farm
Bureau, deemed a long time advisory of the Humane Society.

On this matter Pruitt was quoted, “the concern is that the HSUS projects heart-wrenching imagery of puppies and kittens in solicitations in order to extract donations from unsuspecting Oklahomans who believe their donations are going to help local animal shelters, but instead, may go to high-powered lobbying and special interest campaigns.”

The suit will eventually have to be reviewed and settled by a state judge, who will in turn decide which documents HSUS will have to turn in to the Attorney General and what documents can remain in house.